Selector mechanism.



A. P. DIXON. SELECTOR MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION mum JAN. 20, 1908.

989,1 33. Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. F. DIXON.

SELECTOR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20. 1908.

Patented Apr. 11,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J I J 1 M; w 0 1 1 o A. P. DIXGN.

SELECTOR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION IILED 3111.20, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

A. F. DIXON.

SELECTOR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED mmzo, 1908.

t 989,133. Patented Apr. 11,1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

'movement determining the distance which AMOS F. DIXON, OF NEW :ZQRK,Iii. Y.,.ASSIG"NQB TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMEEAN'LY', 351

CHICAGO, ELLINGES, A CQRPOBJATZON OF ILLINOIS.

snrincros.

Specification of i'i etters Patent.

ECHAEHEE'L Iratented Apr. lit,

application filed January 20, 1,308. fierial No. GAL-55)}.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Amos F. DIXON, citizenof the United States, residing at Neva brush or simi r connector isdriven a predetermined distance to move the connector in position tomake a desired connection.

My invention consists in a combined selecting and driving mechanism, inwhich theselecting member thereof is moved, preferably step-by-step,from its normal .or initial position, and, after being thus moved andconnected with the source of power which also operates the drivingmechanism, is carried back, preferably by a single movement,

to its initial position, the extent of its return the driving mechanismmoves the carrier. In accordance with my invention, instead of thetraveling brush being: moved step-bystep to the desired point by thedirect action of a magnet or magnets which respond. to'

the selecting impulses, such magnets merely .act to advancecomparatively light mechanism, the extent of movement of whichdetermines the distance of travel of the brush, whereupon power isapplied from another source to move the brush directly to thepredetermined point. Thus but little mechani cal work is required of themagnets which respond to the selecting impulses.

The several features of my invention may be more readily understood byreference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectionjustwithin one of the supporting si'de frames, the position of suchframe'being indicated in dotted lines, and the operating mechanism beingshown in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a similar View of the opposite sideof the mechanism; Fig. 3 is an end elevationyFig. 4 is a vertical section through the clutch mechanism; Figs.

5, 6 and 7 are detail views of different parts frames 'Z, 8.

prise Contact brushes 1 mountedupon a vcrtically movable slide rod orcarrier 2, so as to travel over and make engagement with stationarycontact terminals 3. The rod 2 is secured to a cord d which passes overa pulley 5. Said pulley is threaded upon a shaft 6, mounted at its endsin the side (See Fig. 3.) Said pulley normally rests against a stop 50,and, by

threading on shaft 6, said pulley is, by its rotation in winding up thecord moved a slight distance longitudinally of the shaft away fromengagement with the stop 56.

The pulley 5 is provided with teeth which mesh with a pinion 9, which inturn meshes with the teeth of a gear wheel 10, carried upon a collar 11,(see Figs. 3'and 4:) said collar also carrying a ratchet wheel 12. The

collar 11 is loosely mounted, preferably on a hub 13 forming part of aclutchmagnet,

which is adapted to connect the gear wheel 10 With a rotating shaft 18,as will be hereinafter described. It will be observed that the weight ofthe carrier 2 normally returns,

it to its lowered position, and hence a hold ing pawl 14 (Fig. 7) 15provided, which cooperates with the ratchet 12 to retain the carrier inits operated position. The pawl 1 L is.normall 1 held out of en a ementwith the teeth of theratchet 12 by the armature 15 of a holding magnet16, mounted in any suitable manner upon the upper part of the frame 8'.When the armature 15 is at tracted, the holding pawl 14.- is thrown intoengagement with the ratchet 12. (See Fig. 7). The armature 15 may alsocontrol a group of contact springs 17, in the usual manner Mountedloosely on the shaft 18 is a hollow shaft or collar 19 which carries apinion 20 andialratchet wheel 21, by means of which said bllar isadapted to be rotated. The teeth of a reciprocatory rack, (Figs. 5 and6) preferably in. the form of a pivotally mounted segmental rack 22,mesh with the Thesegmental rack 22is rotatably inounthuh of said rackstep nnignci- 0 pawl 29 rests against a stop and. held out i ofengagement with said ratchet Wheels. l /hen the armature is attracted,as shown in Fig. 5. one branch of the compound pawl engages with theratchet and steps it one tooth, at the and oi which movement the otherbranch of the pawl ei'igages the ratchet 27 and prevents furthermovement ol: the parts for Shilili operation oi the armature.

An impulse current in the magnet 3i thus 7 serves by the system 01'.gears 3118i described.

to advance the gear oy a'. comparatively long step. The rack 22 niayalso be advancetl by an impulse of current in the shortstop magnet 32,the armature 33 of which carries-a pawl 3 L, adapted, when. the armatureis actuated, to engage he ratchet- Wheel 21 and step it forward onetooth, and, through the pinion 20, give u short step to the rack 25?.ll; Will he holed that the mag rats 31 and. 32 step the rack orselecting inen'iber in the some u ection the connection being such thatthe ifOllflQl' produces a long step and the latter a short step as, forexample, ten of the short slog-s may be equal to one of the long steps.The long and the short step of the member would then correspond or heproportional to the distance of travel of the brush carrier over ten,and. over one, respectively, of the line terminals. The iii-matures oithe magnets 31., 3:2, may control the opening and closing of Contactsprings 33, 34: in case this be found necessary.

The collar 19 is preferably provided with drag Wheel having teeth on itspe riphery with which a spring pressed drag engages and thereby preventsa too free rotation of said collar.

Secured on the collar 19 to rotate therewith is a disk 37, forming thearmature or movable member of a magnetic clutch. Said disk is provided,with one or more extensions or lugs 38 extending perpentlicular y to theclisl' iron the cireiunference the (N 1 The free entl of said lugprovided with a pin 39 projecting in front of a svries of holes 40 near"the rim of the Wheel ll he, e liar 19 is capable a slight longitudinalmovement on the shaft 18, but is normally held by the thrust of thespring 4i, l) in suca position that the pins 39 do not I many enter theholes 20. I

A friction disk 4:2, preferably of brass or other non-magnetic materialis mounted rotate "with the shalt l8 Said disk i mounted. before thepole faces of a magnet inclosetl in a casing It will be under ..1tedirections.

stood that the release device, 1H1 m l open the circuit through tin co'.magnetic clutch; ll he he into frictional engagement wil L11 ilisli thuscausing he collar 1') null the pinion 20 carried th reby to rotate withthe shaft 1. The httraction of the dish 3? causes the pins Bil on. thecinil of the lugs 38 to enter the holes 40in the Wheel ll), thuscoupling said gear Wheel to the shaft 18 vthrough the ilirietionallyengaging disks 37, lib 'ihe shaft 1E5 rotates in a direction to winclthe cord on the pulley and thus elevate the carrier or roll :5.tlherel'ore by llie energ'zation oi the coils of the elccironiagneclutch, the cord l is wound on lho pulley 5, while the direction ofrotation of the pinion 20 by the shaft 18 is such that (he segmentalruck is returned i0 iis' initial position,

operates the the Since,

as hereinhei'ore sigi'iezl to control, by ni ht of circuits, the ll itis obvious that the 252 to its position agai t i" i stop will throw openthe magnetic clutch, 'stonnecting the uinion 20 and the gear it) i omrotar movement with the shaft lb. it is apparent, therefore, that therel stance the carrier 2 is moyetl is (lcpeinlein upon the distance theseg gmental raclt is sh pped from its initial )ositiOn. As beforestated, a holding pawl 1 prevents the ncght oi the carrier returning thesame to its normal position until said pawl has been removed fromengagement with the rutihet 12 by tho (leiinm'gization of the holdingmagnet. such lee/nergisca-tion being controlled in any suitable manneixfii'iel'ly stalctl, the operation of the met-luv nisin will in{,iKilijlzzl he as follows: The holding magnet ll? will first heenergized to attract its ainmlm'e l5, allowing the pawl iello cn n gellie rai -hut l2 and ly llm actuaiiou of the coulai-i rlhl'llllf ll".establishing. ii llcsireili such cu'z'uil' conditions as may he new xi'x' lo llic lm'thei. operation oi the other parts. The stepping magnet 31will now he euz -rgim-xl and fahrmigh the agency of pawl $2.) andratchet 25% n 'ill a liv a long step \l1]l(f(. the segmental rock -9 lFor o; :h n'npulse of current corresponding to a uistancu of travel overten terminals by the carrier J. 'e-hc stepping" u'zu nct Ill may next hropen will aml through the terminal by ino carrier The rack constiusegmental iacli seams v I tuting the selecting mechanism being thus set,the clutch magnet may then be excited, whereby the constantly rotatingshaft 18 is coupled to drive the pulley 5 to raise the carrier rod 2 toa predetermined point. At the same time the shaft 18 returns the rack toits initial position, whereupon said rack operates the clutch releasespring 26,

which may be arranged-to open the circuit of the magnetic clutch. Thetraveling brush 1 has thus been removed to the re quired point andstopped. W hen it is desired to restore the brush carrying rod 2 to itsnormal position, the holding magnet 16 is denergized, whereupon theholding pawl 14 is withdrawm-and the Weight oi said rod causes the cordat to unwind from the pulley ,5, said pulley being operatively connectedwith the loosely mounted gear wheel 10.

I claim:

1. In a selector switch, the combination with a movable switch member,'of a select ing member, selectively controlled electrical means foradvancing said selecting member, and driving mechanism arranged toreturn said selecting member to its initial position and to drive saidmovable switch member a distance predetermined by the extent of movementof said selecting member.

2. In a selector, the combination with a movable selecting member, of abrush carrier arranged to travel over line terminals, means foradvancing said selecting member a distance from its normal positioncorresponding to the desired travel of the brush carrier over said lineterminals, and motor mechanism arranged to'return said selecting memberto its normal position and to advance said brush carrier a distancecorresponding to the distance of return travel of the movable selectingmember.

3J1n a selector, the combination with a movable selecting member, of abrush carrier arranged to travel over line terminals, means foradvancing said selecting member a distance from normal corresponding tothe distance of travel of the brush carrier over ten of said lineterminals, means for advancing the movable member a distance from.

normal corresponding to 'the distance of travel oi: the brush carrierover one terminal, and motor mechan sm for returning said selectingmember to normal and for advancing the brush carrier a distancecorresponding to the distance of travel of the movable selecting memberfrom its advanced to its normal position.

in a selector, the combination With a movable selecting member, of abrush carrier arranged to travel over line terminals,

electrically controlled means for advancingv said selecting inemberstep-by-step a distance fromats normal position correspondto thel'lftsired traveler said brash, carrier over said line terminals, motormechanism arranged to return said selecting memher to its normalposition and to advance said brush carrier, means for operativelyconnecting said mot-or mechanism to said selecting member and to saidbrush carrier, and means operated by said selecting member upon itsreturn to its initial position to disconnect said selecting member andsaid brush carrier from the motor mechanism, whereby the distance ofadvance travel of said brush carrier corresponds to the distance of thereturn travel of the selecting member.

5. A selector switch comprising electrical means adapted to respond toselecting impulses, a step-by-step selecting member actuated by saidmeans, a movable brush carrier, motor mechanism adapted to move saidbrush carrier and to return said selecting member to its initialposition, means for simultaneously bringing said motor mechanism intooperative relation with said carrier and said selecting member, andmeans operated by said selecting member upon its return to its initialposition to arrest the iovement of said brush carrier at the pointpredetermined by the extent of the return movement of said selectingmember.

6. In a selector switch,- the combination with a movable switch member,of a step by-step selecting member, an electromagnet arranged in itsresponse to selecting im-' pulses to advance said selecting member bylong steps, a second electromagnet for advancing said selecting memberby shortsteps, motor mechanism adapted to drive said movable switchmember and to return said selecting member to its initial position,means for simultaneously bringing said motor mechanism into operativerelation with said carrier and said selecting member, and a switcharranged to be operated by said selecting member when the latter is inits initial position, for disconnecting said motor mechanism from saidcarrier and said selecting member.

7. In a selector, the con'ibination with a movable switch member, ofstep-by-step selecting mechanism, electromagnetic means for advancingsaid selecting mechanism, continuously-acting motor mechanism, amagnetic clutch, means actuated by said clutch for operativelyconnecting said motor mechanism to said switch member to drive the same,means actuated by said clutch for.

with a movable switch member, of a rack,

a pinion cooperating therewitaselectivelv controlled electromagneticmeans for ad vaneing said rack, and driving mechanism arrange to operatesaid pinion to return said rack to its initial position, and to drivesaid movable switch member a distance pre determined by the extent ofthe return move ment of said rack.

9. In a selector switch, the combination with a movable switch member,0? a. rack, a pinion cooperating therewith, an elcctr magnet adapted torespoml to selecting impulses, mechanism operated by said electrt magnetfor at'lvz'incing said raclc step-bystep, motor mechanism adapted tomove said brush carrier and to operate said pinion to restore said rackto its'initial posit-ion, means for simultaneously bringing said motormechanism into operative relation with said carrier and id pinion, andmeans operated by said rack upon its return to its initial position toarrest the movement of said movable switch membe at the point:predetermined by the extent of the return movement of said rack.

it). In a selector switch, the combination with a movable switch member,of a rack, a pinion cooperating therewith, an electromagnet arranged inresponse to selecting impulses to advance said raclr by long steps, asecond electromagnct for similarly advancing said rack by short steps,motor mecha nism adapted to move said brush carrier and to operate saidpinion to restore said rack to its initial position, means forsimultaneously bringing said motor mechanism into operative relationwith said carrier and said pin ion, and means operated by said rack uponits return to its initial position to arrest. the

movement of said movable switch member at the point. predetermim d bythe extent of the return movement of said rack.

11. In a selector, the C()l'i1l)ll'l2ttl0ll with a movable switchmember, of a rack, a pinion cooperating therewith, electromagnetic meansfor advancing said rack a predetermined distance, continuously-actingmotor mechanism, a magnetic clutch, means actuated' by said clutch foropcratively connccting said motor mechanism to said pinion to restoresaid rack to its initial position, moans actuated by the connection ofsaid pinion with said motor meclmnism to operat'ively connect said motormechanism to said switch member to drive the same,and means op -rated bysaid rack in its initial position for dctlnergizing said magi'ieticclutch.

l2. In a selector, the coml'iii'iatitm with a movable switch member, ofa constantly rotating' shaft, driving gear adapted to be operated bysaid shalt to move said switch member, a pivotally mounted scr'u'icntalrack, a pinion cotiperating therewith, said pinion being loosely mountedon said rotating shat't, an cltartron'iagnet, pawl and ratchetmccl'ianisi'n operated thereby for adl l l l t i vancing said rack bylong steps, second eicctromagnet, pawl and ratchet mechanism operatedthereby for advancing said rack by short steps, said rack in its advancerotating said pinion in a direction reverse to the direction of rotationof said shaft, an electromagnetic clutch for coupling said pinion andsaid drivinggear to said rotating shaft, and a clutch releasing switcharranged to be operated by said rack upon its return to its initialposition.

i 123. In a. selector, the combination with a movable switch member, ofa rotating shaft, driving pea r adapted to be operated by said shalt todrive said switch member, selecting mechanism for determining the travelof said switch i'nember, electromagnetic.means for setting saidselecting mechanism, restoring gear adapted to be operated by said shaftto return said selecting mechanism to its initial position, clutchmechanism for connecting said driving gear and said restoring gear tosaid rotating shaft, and clutch releasing mechanism operated by said.selecting mechanism upon its return to its initial position. r14. in aselector, the combination with movable switch member, of a. constantlyrotating shaft, driving gear adapted to be operated by said shaft todrive said switch member, step-bystcp selecting mechanism,electromagnetic means for stepping said selecting mechanism. restoringgear adapted to return said selecting mechanism to its initial position,an electromagnetic clutch tor connecting said driving gear and saidrestoring gear to said. rotating shaft, and a clutch releasing switcharranged to be opened by said so voting mechanism upon its return to itsinitial position.

15. in a selector, the combination with a movable switch member, or aconstantly rotatinpshaft, driving gear at apted to be operated by saidshaft to more said switch member, reciprocally mounted selectingmechanism, an elcctromagnet, pawl and ratchet; mechanism operatedthereby for advancing said selecting mechanism by long steps, a secondclcctromagnct, pawl and ratchet mechanism operated thereby for advancingsaid selecting mcchanism by short steps, restoring gear engaging withsaid lectingmechanism and lttlflpl'tjtl by its actuation to return saidselecting," mechanism to its initial position, an electromagnetic clutchfor connecting said driving gear and said re storing gear to saidconstantly rotating shall, a clutch releasing switch arranged to beoperated by said stzlecting mechanism upon its return to its initialposition, a holdiup magnet, and a holding pawl controlled thereby formaintaining said movable switch member in the position to which it movedby said driving gear.

16. in a selector, the combination with a BEE,

movable switch 'inember, of selective mechanism, selectively controlledelectromagnetic means for advancing said selecting mechanism, aconstantly rotating shaft, a loosely mounted driving gear for movingsaid switch member,v restoring gear loosely mounted on said shaft forreturning said selecting mechanism tovits initial position, clutchmechanism forsimultaneously connecting said loosely mounted gears withsaid rotating shaft, and a clutch release member arranged to be operatedupon the returnof said selecting mechanism to its initial po sition. I

17. in a selector, the combination "with a movable switch membeiyofselecting mechanism, selectively controlled electromagnetic means foradvancing said selecting mecha nism, a constantly rotating shaft, aloosely mounted driving gear for moving said switch member, restoringgear loosely mounted on said shaft for returning said selectingmechanism to its initial --position, an electromagnetic clutch adaptedwhen energized to secure one of said gears to said rotating shaft, aconnecting member adapted when said clutch is energized to operativelyconnect said gears, and a clutch release member. arranged to be operatedupon the return of said selecting mechanism to its initial position.

18. in a selector, the combination with a movable switch member, of aconstantly rotating shaft, a loosely mounted driving gear adapted to beoperated by said shaft to move said switch member,reciprocatingselecting mechanism, electromagnetic means for ad-. vancingsaid selecting mechanism, restoring gear loosely mounted on said shaftand' adapted to be connected with said shaft to return said selectingmechanism to its ini-' tial position, an electromagnetic clutchadaptediwhen energized to couple said restoring gear to said rotatingshaft, means operated when said restoring gear is coupled to said shaftto also couple said driving gear to'saidshaft, and 'a clutch releasingswitch arranged to be-opened by said selecting mechanism upon its returnto its initial position.

19. In a selector, the combination with a movable switch member, of aconstantly rotating shaft, aloosely mounteddrivinggear arranged tobeoperatively connected to said shaft to move said switch member,.a pinionloosely mounted on said shaft, a rack 00- operating with said pinion,selectively controlled electromagnetic means for stepping said rack andpinion, said pinion being rotated therebyin a direction reverse-to thero tation of said shaft, clutch mechanism adapted when operatedtosimultaneouslyconnect said pinion and said driving gear to saidrotatingshaft, and a clutch release member arranged to be operated uponthe return of said rack to its initial position.

20. In a selector, the combination with a movable switch member, of aconstantly rotating shaft, a loosely mounted driving gear arranged to beoperatively connected to said shaft to move said switch member, a pinionated in the engagement of said pinion with said shaft for operativelyconnecting said driving gear to said shaft, and a clutch releasingswitch arranged'to be opened by said rack upon its return to its initialposition.

21. In a selector," the combination with a movableswitchmember, of aconstantly rotating shaft,'-a loosely mounted'driving gear arranged tobe operatively connected to said shaft to-move said switch member,apinion loosely mounted on said shaft, a rack cooperating with saidpinion, selectively controlled electromagnetic means for stepping saidrack and pinion, said. pinion being rotated thereby in adirectionreverse to the rotation of said shaft, a disk carried by saidpinion, an electromagnetic clutch for coupling said pinion to saidshaft, said disk forming the armature of said electromag netic clutch,an extension of said disk adapted when said clutch is energized toengage said driving gear and operatively connect it to said pinion andthere y to said shaft, and a clutch releasing switch arranged to beopened by said rack upon its return to its initial position,

22; In a selector, the combination with a movable switch member, of aconstantly rotating shaft, driving gear adapted to be operated by saidshaft to move said switch member, a pivotally mounted segmental rack,apinion cooperating therewith, said -pinion' being loosely mounted onsaid ro-' tating shaft, an electromagnet, pawl and ratchet mechanismoperated thereby for advancing said raeltby long steps, a secondelectromagnet, pawl and ratchet mechanism operated thereby for advancingsaid rack by short steps, said rack in its advance rotating said pinionin a direction reverse to the direction of rotation of saidshaft, a

disk carried by said pinion, an electromagnetic clutch for coupling saidpinion to said shaft, said disk forming the armature of saidelectromagnetic clutch, an extension of said disk adapted when saidclutch is energized to engage said drivinggear and operatively connectit-to said pinion andthereby to said shaft, and a clutch releasingswitch me; 11s controlled arranged he openecl by said its return to itsinitial position.

in c selector, the combination with e. rotating shaft, of a gem looselymounted on said she-it, a driving wheel, :1 switch .ieinber dri nHereby. an electromagnetic clutch for ioupl reek upon L 131' said tosaid shei't, .f seio. clutch for operly connecting said driving wheel tosaid to move said swtcl'i member, and means for releasing said clutchupon the movement of said gees a predetermined clisfence.

The combination with rotating sheft, pinion, melt cooperating therewith,s We mechanism for advancing saicl rack :1 predetermined distance, adriving gear, i member driven thereby, a clutch for c0upling saidpinizin to said shaft, said pinion being driven thereby in a directionto return said rock to its initial position, means operated when saidpinion is coupled to said shaft for cperetivelv connecting said drivinggear to said rotating shaft, and clutch ielezisc inechni'iisin operatedby said rock upon its return to its initial position.

In a selector the combination with s.

movable switch member, of a continuously rotating power shalt. EL switchopcretino shaft in al neinent with said power shaft, jurn'gziposeclfriction disks carried by the respective shafts, one s "l clisksbeing ofmagnetic material, a lcsl-electi'oma not mounted concentric win the axisof shafts, said, magnet having an annular pole p o adeotecl to attractdisk of mag netic material and drew it into engagement with the other(lisl: to cause the switcn operating shaft to be driven from said powershaft, and means controlled by said switch operating shaft controllingthe leenergization of said electron'isgnet.

26. in {L selector, the combination with e.- jmcvable selecting member,of a. movable switch member, means for advancing sui l selecting membera distance from its normal position, corresponding to the desired travelof said switch member, a continuously rotating power shaft, alongitudinally slionble switch-operating she/it in alinement wi l1 saidpower shaft, a disk of magnetic ineterisl 08.11l0l by said slidableshaft, 2L juxtaposed friction clisl: carried by said power shaft, acylindrical electroznzignet mounted concentric with the axis of saidshafts, said magnet having an annular pole piece adapted to attract saiddisk of magnetic material and draw it into engagement with the otherdisk to cause the switch operating shaft to be driven from said powershaft, fear driven by switch operating shaft for returning saidselecting member to its initial position, and 2: clutch releasingswitcharranged in be opeieted by said selecting membeiuupon its return to itsinitial position; whereby the movable switch member is advanced duringthe excitation of said magnet a distance pee; ile'terininecl by saidselecting n'ieniber.

ln witness whereof, E hereunto subscribe my mune this fifteenth day ofJanuary,

